The Dear Old Village School - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
The Dear Old Village School. Copyright, 1884. by T. B Harms & Co. Words and Music by Bobby Newcomb. 
How oft I've said too late, since I tarried by the gate. Near the dear old school-house down the shady lane; Where little boys were classed, many happy days we passed, Oh, those happy days that ne'er will come again. How oft in childish glee I have read my A. B. C, While my classmates played the scholar or the fool; If I had the chance to-day, what attention I would pay To the teachings of the dear old village school. 
Chorus. Those days of childish glee seemed a paradise to me, As either one played scholar or the fool; If I had the chance to-day, what attention I would pay To the teachings of the dear old village school. 
My playmates ev'ry one, when the school-house bell was rung, In their merry laughter side by side would go; Cheerful faces beaming bright, in the sunshine's welcome light, As to mother dear a good-bye kiss we'd throw. Those days unheeded flew, for how little then I knew The value of the pencil, slate and rule: Such grains of knowledge cast, but to mingle with the past. They were left to crumble with the village school.-Chorus. 
The years have passed and gone, for the night has followed morn, And to man's estate from boyhood's dream I've strayed; My weary plodding feet tread a busy thriving street, Just where the unlit shady lane once laid. Where the school-house used to stand there's a stately mansion grand, Where still they play the scholar and the fool; . And I'm thinking now to-day of the chances thrown away, That were mine in the dear old village school.--Chorus